After listening to incomplete video, Kamal Thapa and Rabi Lamichhane demanded the minister’s resignation
KATHMANDU, Dec 21: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said that his statement about all religions having equal rights was exaggerated .
“I talked about religious tolerance. I said no one should be an extremist,” he told Republica, “This speech was exaggerated and turned into something else.” Pointing to the viral video clip, he mentioned that listening to just one line would clarify his intended message. “I spoke only positive things in the speech that was more than half an hour long,” he said, “Listening to the full video can make my opinion clear.”
Addressing the Valley-wide Joint Comprehensive Christmas Festival 2080 held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Kirati said that Nepal is a multi-religious country, and by using the rights granted by the constitution, Christians are also followers of the religion.
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In his speech on Wednesday, he stated that the country is a common flower garden of all religions, and all religions have equal rights. “Christians are also a kind of flower among the colorful flowers blooming in this common garden,” he said, “Without you, there is no beauty in the flower garden.” He cited the 2078 census, mentioning that there are statistics showing 10 religions in Nepal, and all these religions are equal in the eyes of the state.
“All religious people have settled in Nepal by using the rights granted by the constitution,” he said, “To say that we do not accept the existence of Christians is to say that we do not follow the constitution.” Similarly, he stated that one who does not adhere to the principles of the constitution is a traitor, and such traitors should be handcuffed and sent to jail.
This expression has been criticized as labeling those who do not believe in Christianity as traitors. From Kamal Thapa, who has been involved in religious politics, to Rabi Lamichhane, who has expressed his intention to start a new kind of politics, there are critics who view Kirati's statement in this light.
“Culture Minister Sudan Kirati's latest expression, disturbing social harmony and tolerance, provocative, irresponsible, contrary to official dignity, and extremely regrettable,” Lamichhane wrote on social media, “A person who gives such an irresponsible expression and spreads communal hatred is as responsible as the Minister of Culture. How can you stay in office? Prime Minister, please pay serious attention.”
Similarly, chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, Kamal Thapa, has demanded the dismissal of Kirati. Thapa insisted that Minister Kirati should be fired, stating that those who do not believe in Christianity are traitors.
“Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati, who made the irresponsible statement that all non-Christians are traitors, should be fired immediately,” Thapa wrote on social media,“Let Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal take note of this.”
